President Zelensky awarded Elon Musk Ukraine's Order of Liberty, recognizing his contributions to protecting human life and fostering US-Ukraine relations. Kyiv is seeking Musk's approval to use Starlink for drone operations over Russian territory, a move Musk has reportedly opposed as an escalation.
The award and ongoing discussions highlight the critical role of Starlink technology in the Russia-Ukraine war and the complex negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and Elon Musk over its use in military operations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has bestowed Ukraine's Order of Liberty upon Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, recognizing his contributions to protecting human life and freedom, and fostering relations between Ukraine and the United States. The award, issued via presidential decree, comes as Ukraine seeks to expand the use of Starlink terminals, which have become vital for battlefield communications and drone piloting since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Kyiv is specifically asking Musk for permission to use Starlink over Russian territory to attack targets, a move that could disrupt Russia's military capabilities. Musk has reportedly expressed opposition to this, viewing it as a "major escalation" of the war. However, President Zelensky indicated that Ukraine has begun receiving "more encouraging feedback" on the matter.
Earlier this year, SpaceX disabled thousands of Russian 'grey-market' Starlinks in Ukraine at the request of the former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which reportedly caused problems for Russian forces. The Order of Freedom is one of Ukraine's highest state honors, typically awarded to foreign leaders for their support.
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